Karma - Avery Brewing Company

Mitchster

Michigan

2/5  rDev -41.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Brewed with 2-row barley, Belgian Special B, cara 45 and aromatic malts. Hopped with Sterling.

OG=1.048, 5.2% ABV, 10 IBU's. 12 oz bottle/$1.69.

Pours out to a sparkingly clear medium amber, forming a small beige head with not very good retention and absent lacing despite a hefty pour. A solid "Psssht" was released when I twisted off the cap, but the carbonation appears around average. The aroma is interesting but not very intense...it begins with oranges and apples and then there is some toasty biscuits in the end with swirling. As I drink it, it becomes irritating with dank cardboard. Mouthfeel is ruddy with a medium-light body. The taste is quite unique (but not very good), clearly intended as a summer brew. It starts with some mild floral hops, followed by black pepper and orange in the middle, lots of mega-diluted apple juice, some mild bitterness and some toast and pepper in the finish. The aftertaste is lightly dry. There are some subtle higher alcohols perceived. I'm wondering if the temps got away from Adam on this one. The yeast doesn't impart much of a Belgian character...there are definitely tremendous English ale yeast overtones in this one with caramel and wet cardboard notes.

Not much here to surprise, nor enjoy. As I drank through this one, the more and more disgusted I became with it, and I had to dump the last few ounces down the sink. It made me feel sick to my stomach. The only bad beer I've had from Avery BC.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2006 00:28:23 | More by Mitchster

emsroth

New York

1.8/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

*Note: This review is part of my attempt to review more critically. Many of the reviews I've previously given have been too generous.*

12oz bottle. no date

App: Dark amber that's ever so slight translucent--my vision is just slightly skewed. No head, but a slight lace.

Smell: Definitely some typical belgian fruitiness going on here. Cherries and honey, but there is a certain unique not that I can't figure out. Sweet alcohol fumes--yum! If only i could give a 3.75.

Taste: The taste is pretty terrible. The slightest bit of sweet apple up front followed by a huge rush of dry, dry, dry. Dry flavorless malt. Dry herbal hops. Dry metallic flavors that almost taste like blood. No belgian zest or fruitiness.

Decent mouthfeel, but there is a film associated with the flavors that kills.

I am debating pouring this.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2010 03:23:11 | More by emsroth

Mcculler

Ohio

1.7/5  rDev -50.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a reddish brown with very little head and almost no lacing. Malt and grain on the nose, reinforced on the palate with apple cider, iodine and band-aid. Watery mouthfeel with solid carbonation. Not much here except flaws, to my mind. Happily, other brewers are doing this style very well.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 00:45:52 | More by Mcculler